Democrats retain majority control of Iowa Senate, House

Democrats retained majority control of the Iowa Senate and House, but the outcome of two House races in the Sioux City area is still undetermined.

House Republican Leader Christopher Rants of Sioux City says absentee ballots in those races will be counted today. "You know, we’re going to find out just how big a role absentees play," Rants says. "I think we’re headed to an age where Election Day isn’t just 24 hours. It’s 24 days where candidates are going to have to adapt to the fact that you’re going to have to deliver your message a month out because those absentees are going to count more and more in the future."

Democrats had held a 53 to 47 seat edge in the House. Election returns available early Wednesday morning indicate Democrats won 54 seats and Republicans won 44 in the Iowa House. In the Senate, available results indicate Democrats increased their majority to 33 seats, compared to 17 for Republicans.

"We are humbled by the victories Iowans have given us," House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines said in a prepared statement. "These have been hard fought races and our congratulations and thanks go out to all who participated. It is clear from the results that Iowans want us to continue to focus on the bread and butter issues that really matter in their lives and we will do so in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible manner."